EDO State Governor Monday Okpebholo has sworn in three judges rejected by his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
The judges are Ojo Maureen Osa, Okundamiya Godwin Jeff, and Edoghogho Eboigbe.
While swearing in the judges, Okpebholo said he fulfilled his promise to address the issue, stating that everyone deserved equal opportunities, regardless of personal connections or godfathers.
The governor emphasised the importance of upholding justice, ensuring fair dispute resolution, and protecting citizens’ rights.
The governor said he acknowledged the critical role of the judiciary under the doctrine of separation of powers. He promised to strengthen the judiciary.
“The National Judicial Council in June 2023 had recommended eight persons for appointment as judges of the Edo State High Court.
“Eleven months after that recommendation, only five of them were sworn in by the immediate-past administration, leaving out three, even when they had all been cleared and recommended by the same NJC,” Okpebholo stated.
The Governor said he promised to investigate the case during his inaugural address and fulfilled his promise to address the ‘injustice’.
He stated that the three judges would to take their rightful places alongside their colleagues on the bench of the Edo State High Court, serving as beacons of hope.
He emphasised that in his opinion, no one should face discrimination, marginalisation, or hatred due to personal reasons or a lack of connections.
The Governor also expressed his expectation that the judges would uphold high standards of conduct, ensure fair dispute resolution, protect citizens’ rights, and hold wrongdoers accountable.
One of the judges, Osa, expressed gratitude to the governor on behalf of others, thanking him for the opportunity to serve the state.
She commended the governor for making their swearing-in possible, especially within just three weeks of taking the oath of office.
Osa also wished the governor a successful tenure, marked by advancements in justice for all.
Meanwhile, the governor has also approved the reinstatement of lecturers of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, sacked by the Obaseki’s administration.
The approval was contained in a statement issued on Monday, December 2, by the secretary to the state government, Umar Musa Ikhilor.
The affected lecturers were said to have been unlawfully disengaged from the service of the university by the defunct Special Intervention Team (S.I.T.) in March 2023.
They were allegedly relieved of their appointments following the agitation by the university staff for the payment of their outstanding salaries and other entitlements owed them by the Obaseki administration.
Okpebholo, however, announced the reinstatement of the affected lecturers “in line with his belief in the principles of natural justice, equity and good conscience.”
He said he would not fail to correct any seeming injustice against any person in the state, in demonstration of his commitment and adherence to the rule of law in governance at all times.
Okpebholo, a serving senator, was sworn in as the governor of Edo State on Tuesday, November 12, following his victory in the governorship election held in the state in September.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, the election winner.
He polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who won 247,274 votes.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, garnered 22,763 in the election to occupy a distant third position.
A reporter with the ICIR
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